“Who are they?” asked Yourii once more.
Lialia laughed. “You will see!” she said, kissing the tips of her fingers and looking very mysterious.
“Aha!” said Yourii, smiling. “Well, we shall see what we shall see!”
After some hesitation, Novikoff with an air of indifference, remarked:
“We might ask the Sanines too.”
“Oh! we must have Lida,” cried Lialia, not because she particularly liked the girl, but because she knew of Novikoff’s passion, and wished to please him. She was so happy herself in her own love, that she wanted all those about her to be happy also.
“Then we shall have to invite the officers, too,” observed Ivanoff, maliciously.
“What does that matter? Let us do so. The more the merrier!”
They all stood at the front door, in the moonlight.
“What a lovely night!” exclaimed Lialia, as unconsciously she drew closer to her lover. She did not wish him to go yet. Riasantzeff with his elbow pressed her warm, round arm.